Agenda

Summary

The Public Utilities Department (PUD) presented its FY 2027-2031 Five-Year Financial Outlook, outlining projected expenditures and revenue needs for water and wastewater services. The outlook anticipates significant cost increases, totaling approximately $2.26 billion in FY 2027 and rising to $2.52 billion by FY 2030, driven by major capital investments, escalating water purchase costs, and debt service. For the Water System, projected annual rate increases range from 5.0% to 14.5% through FY 2031, with FY 2026 and FY 2027 rates already approved. Water purchase costs from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) are expected to increase by 47.7% per acre-foot over five years. The water system faces financial strain, with its Rate Stabilization Fund projected to be below target until FY 2030 and Days of Cash on Hand reaching a low of 50 days in FY 2027. The Patz v. City of San Diego litigation requires implementing unitary/uniform water rates by September 2026 and includes $79.5 million in refunds plus $6.8 million in interest. For the Wastewater System, projected annual rate increases are between 6.0% and 8.0% through FY 2031, with rates through FY 2029 already approved, and this system generally maintains healthier financial metrics. A $3.7 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is planned, including Pure Water Phase 1 (commissioning mid-2026, full operation by December 31, 2027) and Phase 2 planning. PUD has implemented a three-year delay for certain water CIP projects to manage costs. The Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) recommends that the City's SDCWA representatives advocate for a new SDCWA business plan and strategies to sell excess water supplies to mitigate future rate increases.

Citizen Impact

Residents should prepare for significant increases in water and wastewater rates over the next five years to fund essential infrastructure upgrades, including the Pure Water Program which will provide a new local water supply by December 2027. The Patz v. City of San Diego ruling will also lead to a shift to uniform water rates by September 2026, potentially changing individual water bills.

Confidence

high

Summary

This ordinance (O-2026-56) enacts a comprehensive update to Chapter 2, Article 7, Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the San Diego Municipal Code, which governs City elections. The goal is to align with best practices, California state code, and facilitate seamless election consolidation with County and State authorities. The amendments, developed with community input and approved by the Rules Committee on April 16, 2025, will take effect 30 days after final passage.

Key Changes for Candidates:

• Candidates must now appear in person to obtain and submit nomination papers, with exceptions for disability or U.S. Armed Forces service.
• The "Statement and Affidavit of Nominee" is renamed to "Declaration of Candidacy" and must be completed at the time of submitting nomination papers, not obtaining them.
• The write-in candidate nomination period for primary elections is adjusted to E-64 through E-36 days before the election.
• Signature verification for nominating petitions is extended from 20 business days to 30 calendar days, with an additional 60 calendar days for "in lieu" signatures.
• New regulations are added for candidate name changes (e.g., due to marriage or court decree).
• Ballot designations for principal profession, vocation, or occupation now have clarified rules, including a four-word limit (with exceptions) and a new section detailing unacceptable designations.

Key Changes for Election Administration:

• A recount provision is added for tie votes in primary, general, or special elections before drawing lots.
• Residency requirements will be verified by the City Clerk using voter registration records.
• Public examination periods for ballot materials are set at 10 calendar days following filing deadlines, and for ordinances calling elections, it starts the next calendar day after Council adoption for 10 calendar days.
• Notices to candidates will primarily be sent via email.
• Many forms and technical procedures are moved to the City Clerk's Administrative Guidelines for easier updates.

Changes for Filling Vacancies by Appointment:

• The required number of signatures for applicants seeking appointment to an elective office is significantly increased from 50 to 50% of the candidate requirements (e.g., 60 signatures for Councilmember and 120 for Mayor/City Attorney).
• Applicants must now submit a resume, and certain personal information (date of birth, SSN, detailed occupation history) is removed from the application form, with some details now required on the resume.

Citizen Impact

Residents running for office will encounter updated procedures and deadlines for nominations and ballot designations, aiming for a clearer and more standardized process. Those seeking to fill vacant elected positions by appointment will face a substantially higher signature requirement, increasing the effort needed to qualify. The addition of recounts for tie votes ensures more robust and fair election outcomes.

Confidence

high

Summary

The City Council is calling for a Municipal Primary Election and a Municipal Special Election to be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. These elections will be consolidated with the California Statewide Primary Election on the same date. The Municipal Primary Election will nominate candidates for four Councilmember seats representing Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8. The Municipal Special Election is for the purpose of submitting one or more ballot measures to voters, as determined by separate ordinances. The City has budgeted $1,760,000 for these elections, which will be administered by the County of San Diego's Registrar of Voters. Vote centers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. These actions are mandated by the City Charter and are not subject to the Mayor's veto.

Citizen Impact

Residents will have the opportunity to vote for four City Council seats and on any ballot measures that may be placed before them on June 2, 2026. The consolidation with the statewide election aims to streamline the voting process.

Confidence

high

Summary

The San Diego City Council is holding a public hearing to consider the removal of Alec Beyer from his District 2 seat on the Commission on Police Practices (CPP). This action follows an Equal Employment Investigations Office (EEIO) investigation, which concluded on November 6, 2025, that Beyer violated the City's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy.

Key Findings from the EEIO Investigation:

• Beyer engaged in a pattern of harassment based on sex against multiple female CPP staff members.
• This included demeaning emails, accusations of dishonesty and laziness, public dismissal of their professional expertise, and refusal to meet with female staff, leading some to have male colleagues present their work for better reception.
• He was found to have made personal attacks in open and closed sessions, publicly blamed female staff for "failed processes" (even when approved by the Commission cabinet), and refused to use staff members' names in communications.
• His conduct created a hostile, offensive, oppressive, and intimidating work environment, causing emotional distress to staff.

These actions are considered violations of the City's EEO Policy, the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Code of Ethics (requiring respectful and unbiased treatment, and personal integrity), and the City's Threat Management Policy (prohibiting bullying). Council President Joe LaCava suspended Beyer on November 17, 2025, pending this hearing. The Council may remove Beyer for "good cause" by a majority vote, as defined in San Diego Municipal Code section 26.1106, or lift his suspension.

Citizen Impact

This hearing addresses the integrity and effectiveness of the Commission on Police Practices, which provides independent oversight of the Police Department. The outcome will reinforce the City's commitment to maintaining a respectful and non-discriminatory work environment for all city employees and appointed officials, affecting public trust in governance.

Confidence

high

Summary

This item outlines the timeline and procedures for submitting ballot proposals for the June 2, 2026 election. The City Clerk's office will manage the submission process, with key deadlines including:

• October 24, 2025: Last day for ballot proposals to be submitted to the City Clerk for committee review.
• November 5, 2025: Committee review of proposals may begin.
• January 5, 2026: First day City Council can discuss and adopt ordinances to place measures on the ballot.
• March 6, 2026: Last day City Council can discuss measures and adopt ordinances to place them on the ballot.
• March 9, 2026: Last day to submit Fiscal Impact Analysis, Ballot and Title Summary, and Impartial Analysis.
• March 11, 2026: Last day to file ballot arguments.

This process is established by City Council Policy 000-21 and applies to proposals from the public, Councilmembers, the Mayor, or other public agencies, but does not cover citizen initiatives.

Citizen Impact

Residents interested in proposing measures for the June 2, 2026 ballot must adhere to strict deadlines, with the first major submission deadline for proposals being October 24, 2025.

Confidence

high

Summary

This item outlines the procedural timeline for submitting ballot proposals for the November 3, 2026 election in San Diego. City Council Policy 000-21 governs this process, allowing submissions from the public, Councilmembers, the Mayor, or department heads. Proposals are submitted to the City Clerk, who then forwards them to the Rules Committee Consultant. The timeline includes key dates such as the March 6, 2026 deadline for initial submissions to the City Clerk, the March 18, 2026 start of Committee review, the June 8, 2026 first day for City Council to adopt ordinances placing measures on the ballot, and the August 7, 2026 final deadline for Council action. It also specifies deadlines for fiscal impact analyses, ballot summaries, impartial analyses, and ballot arguments in August 2026. This process does not cover citizen initiatives.

Citizen Impact

Residents interested in proposing new laws or city initiatives for a public vote should note the strict deadlines and procedures for submission, with the first major deadline for proposals to the City Clerk being March 6, 2026.

Confidence

high

Summary

This public notice indicates that the "Vacation Home Operation Tax to Preserve Housing" ballot proposition has been advanced from the Rules Committee to a second hearing for consideration for placement on a future ballot. The target ballot date for this proposition is noted as June 2, 2026.

Citizen Impact

Residents should be aware that a new tax related to vacation home operations, intended to preserve housing, is being considered for the June 2026 ballot. Further review will determine if it appears for a public vote.

Confidence

high

Summary

This item concerns the final map approval for the BLUEPRINT CONDOMINIUMS project, located at 4365 and 4369 Ohio Street in the North Park Community Plan area, within the RM-3-9 zone. The City Engineer has reviewed the map and found that it substantially conforms to the approved tentative map, complies with the Subdivision Map Act and applicable local ordinances, and is technically correct. The final map will be recorded unless a valid appeal is filed within 10 calendar days of the City Council meeting. The project is a subdivision of lots into a condominium project, as approved by Planning Commission Resolution No. 4945-9, dated July 19, 2018, which approved 6 residential condominium units.

Citizen Impact

Residents can view the final map for the Blueprint Condominiums project at 4365 and 4369 Ohio Street. There is a 10-day appeal period following the City Council meeting for any interested parties who believe the City Engineer's findings are improper.

Confidence

high